Duvivier Is Already Trying To Be Duvivier

Jean Lorette's father was ruined by Séverin-Mars. He has come to kill the man. Not recognizing him, he saves Séverin-Mars from assassin Camille Bert. And is invited as a guest to live in Séverin-Mars' palatial home. There he falls in love with the older man's ward, Suzy Lilé. His thirst for vengeance ends. But Bert is still lurking, working with the housemaid to kill the old man and take his wealth.

Julien Duvivier's first movie already shows sign of themes he would elaborate in the 1930s with his tools of poetic realism. Unfortunately, he is not up to it yet. His technique seems to be modeled on Feuillade, but he lacks the older director's willingness to be crazy and get on with it. Séverin-Mars has visions of those he has wronged, but when he does, he looks like a chipmunk, saddened by his inability to remember where he put those acorns.

It is, perhaps, unfair to mark down an artist's works because he would figure out later how to capture what he is seeking for, but there you have it. His only way to indicate what goes on in his characters' minds is to show it on the screen, and it requires words and the brilliance of Jean Gabin's performances. Fortunately, they would come Duvivier's way. But not yet.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The Western genre features stories set primarily in the 19th-century American Old West and often depict the rugged frontier life, exploring themes of individualism, justice, morality, and the clash between civilization and the untamed wilderness. The genre has its roots in the historical context of westward expansion and the challenges faced by pioneers, settlers, outlaws, and lawmen.

John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)

Landry Smith, lives with Minnie, his ward, in Corrèze, in France. Kate Lockwood, his servant, asks Bill Stanley, a sadistic Mexican cowboy, to come kill her master and fins his money. Bill arrives in the area in the same time of Jean Didier, a man whose father suicided because of Landry Smith.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Haceldama ou Le prix du sang

Photos

Top Cast7

User reviews3

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed